Tom Ballard: It’s a stand up show about how neoliberal capitalism is destroying our collective future

Best Show Nominee, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2016. Best Show Winner, Sydney Comedy Festival 2017. Top 3 Best Reviewed Comedy Shows, Edinburgh Fringe 2017. As heard on The Bugle, Tom Ballard spent 2018 hosting his own late-night satirical TV show, Tonightly with Tom Ballard, and watching the neo-liberal order continue to destroy our collective future. Now he’s written some very funny jokes about all that and he wants to sell them to you for money because that’s what capitalism demands. He’s back this month at the Fringe with Enough, and spoke with The Fountain about what we can expect from the show.

TF: You are performing at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, how exciting?

VERY EXCITING YAY LIVE PERFORMANCE!

TF: Enough certainly sounds intriguing, what is the premise?

It’s a stand up show about how neoliberal capitalism is destroying our collective future: the ruling class has way too much while so many people barely have enough. This system is making us sad and it’s cooking the planet and I can’t afford a house and I’m tired. It’s very funny.

TF: And what drove the project, where did your influences lie?

Ironically, I was driven to write the show because I got fired from a full-time TV gig in Australia and needed to make money to survive. Having to pay rent and my desperation to avoid ever having a real job are major influences for me.

TF: What are your plans for the Fringe, having been before are there any tips or musts you would offer to first-time performers?

Do not live entirely on mac’n’cheese if possible. I know it’s tempting, but try to mix it up with kebabs and curries too, to experience the whole range of diarrhoea that Scotland can provide.

Also go see lots of things around the Fringe. Great things and bad things and weird things and ambitious things. Get out of bed before 1pm and enjoy the biggest arts festival in the world.

TF: And what are your future beyond Enough?

Definitely British stardom, the toast of the West End, etc. If not that then I’ll be writing more jokes, hopefully write a play. I also want to re-learn Japanese and find a boyfriend. Eventually death.

You can see Enough at Monkey Barrel Comedy from 2nd – 25th August at 21:00. For tickets, please visit www.edfringe.com